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The Big Sleep

1978·Movie
1h 40min·R
IMDb5.8Rotten Tomatoes57%28%

Where to watch

PrimeHooplaFandango at Home FreeShout! Factory TVPlex

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

The Big Sleep fingerprint

Immersive world, strong craft.

Energy

Tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension8
  • Adrenaline5
  • Fast Pace5

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Romance6
  • Melancholy6
  • Nostalgia6

Humor

Some sharp wit and dark humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay7
  • Dark Humor5
  • Satire & Parody4

World

Mystery, crime, and the mind

  • Dialogue Centrality9
  • World Immersion7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout dialogue, direction, and performances

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Dialogue Quality9
  • Intrigue9
  • Direction8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Sound Centrality7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchTeensThought-Provoking

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About

Meet Philip Marlowe. The toughest private eye who ever wore a trench coat, slapped a dame and split his knuckles on a jawbone.

Private eye Philip Marlowe investigates a case of blackmail involving the two wild daughters of a rich general, a pornographer and a gangster.
Noir MysteryHard-Boiled DetectiveIntricate PlotSharp DialoguePsychological Depth1940s SettingCrime & CorruptionTense Atmosphere

Crew

Directed by:
Michael Winner, Michael Dryhurst, Pamela Carlton
Written by:
Raymond Chandler, Michael Winner
Produced by:
Michael Winner, Elliott Kastner, Maude Spector
Composed by:
Jerry Fielding, Hugh Strain, Mike Le Mare

Sequels and Prequels

GoodWatch52
Poster for The Big Sleep

Media

Questions about The Big Sleep

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Big Sleep legally?

PrimeHooplaFandango at Home FreeShout! Factory TVPlexMetrographAmazon Prime Video Free with AdsShout! Factory

The Big Sleep is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video, Metrograph, and Amazon Prime Video with Ads in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Hoopla, Fandango at Home Free, and Shout! Factory TV. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Big Sleep worth watching?

52
MediocreGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 53/100 (IMDb 5.8 and Rotten Tomatoes 57%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Big Sleep rated?

RViolenceSexual contentStrong language

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence, sexual content, and strong language.

How long is The Big Sleep?

1 h 40 min

The Big Sleep runs 1 h 40 min.

Is The Big Sleep based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a novel.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Big Sleep?

Critics57
Audiences43

Not quite. Critics rate The Big Sleep higher (57) than audiences (43). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is The Big Sleep in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United Kingdom, United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Big Sleep?

12ATCACHCZDEESGBGGIEKRNZUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Big Sleep in 12 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Big Sleep use?

Age LiftAge LiftPrivate DetectiveAbsurdly High-Stakes GameHuman ShieldSelf-Disposing VillainPromoted to Love InterestHigh-Heel–Face TurnCoy, Girlish Flirt PoseGentleman SnarkerExpecting Someone TallerFemme Fataleand 64 more

TV Tropes lists 76 storytelling tropes for The Big Sleep, including Age Lift, Age Lift, Private Detective.